All Party Parliamentary Group for Air Ambulances

All Party Parliamentary Group for Air Ambulances

This week saw the first meeting of the reformed All Party Parliamentary Group for Air Ambulances now under the Chairmanship of Chloe Smith MP for Norwich North. The Group which was dissolved at the end of the last Parliament was instrumental in UK air ambulances changing VAT legislation and helping access LIBOR fines.

The reformed group will continue to champion the air ambulance cause in Westminster, highlighting ongoing issues affecting patient outcomes. A priority area for the group is the continued highlighting of inadequate landing facilities at hospitals and ensuring the smooth transition from the current ambulance service radio system to a new 3G / 4G mobile phone based platform.

Chloe Smith MP commented:

“Air ambulance crews carry out vital, life-saving work across the UK; they fully deserve that recognition in Parliament. I look forward to championing their work through the APPG.”

Bill Sivewright, Chairman of the Association of Air Ambulances commented:

“We are pleased that the group has reformed under the leadership of Chloe. We look forward to working with the group, highlighting areas of concern and seeking the groups support in improving the position of air ambulances for the benefit of their patients.”

The group will be engaging with Ministers in the coming months and will publish its Key Issues in September in readiness for its annual reception in October where it invites all members of both houses of Westminster to meet representatives from all twenty air ambulance charities and eleven ambulance services.